Council looking at how to form bond issue for park

From staff reports

Published: Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 20, 2013 at 8:45 p.m.

Hendersonville City Councilman Steve Caraker learned Friday there may be a more democratic way to settle the upcoming bond referendum for Berkeley Mills Park that has split the council at past meetings. However, it may mean the city has to start the process of setting a referendum all over again.

Caraker said Jeff Miller, a candidate running for council, asked him if the bond referendum currently being floated to voters was a general obligation bond. Caraker learned Friday that the answer to his question was “no.”

Former Mayor Fred Niehoff had told Miller that with a general obligation bond, everyone who would be taxed for the bond would get to vote on its pass or failure in the referendum, Caraker said. Unlike other elections where only citizens who reside in a district can vote for an elected official or a bond, all who pay property taxes in the city could vote for a general obligation bond.

Council members have appeared divided on the issue of whether or not to tackle renovation projects at Berkeley Mills Park with bonds that would create more debt and raise tax rates by 3 cents next year. Members have agreed the public should decide the issue since public money would foot the bill.

“It's all how we form the bond issue,” Caraker said, adding that a general obligation bond may give the public more of a chance to be heard on the issue.

Elections Director Beverly Cunningham, however, said that if the city wants to change the bond referendum, they will have to “start the whole process over.”

<p>Hendersonville City Councilman Steve Caraker learned Friday there may be a more democratic way to settle the upcoming bond referendum for Berkeley Mills Park that has split the council at past meetings. However, it may mean the city has to start the process of setting a referendum all over again.</p><p>Caraker said Jeff Miller, a candidate running for council, asked him if the bond referendum currently being floated to voters was a general obligation bond. Caraker learned Friday that the answer to his question was “no.”</p><p>Former Mayor Fred Niehoff had told Miller that with a general obligation bond, everyone who would be taxed for the bond would get to vote on its pass or failure in the referendum, Caraker said. Unlike other elections where only citizens who reside in a district can vote for an elected official or a bond, all who pay property taxes in the city could vote for a general obligation bond.</p><p>Council members have appeared divided on the issue of whether or not to tackle renovation projects at Berkeley Mills Park with bonds that would create more debt and raise tax rates by 3 cents next year. Members have agreed the public should decide the issue since public money would foot the bill.</p><p>“It's all how we form the bond issue,” Caraker said, adding that a general obligation bond may give the public more of a chance to be heard on the issue.</p><p>Elections Director Beverly Cunningham, however, said that if the city wants to change the bond referendum, they will have to “start the whole process over.”</p>